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"If you want to hear a brand new album that is actually brand new, that’s not recycling all the same old topics, that’s not recycling all the same old songs, then Gangsta Blues is an album you might want to listen to.” -- Tanya Stephens
Six years after her last major release, Ruff Rider, Tanya Stephens returns this year with her 5th album Gangsta Blues, a release that is well worth the wait. A culmination of two years work, Gangsta Blues provides a seldom-heard female viewpoint in a male dominated industry. "Gangsta Blues is my version of blues and not those old time whiney, whiney blues where you sit down and say woe is me. This is me saying, yes it happened but here’s how I’m gonna deal with it. I’m not going to sit with my hand on my jaw and bawl about it. That’s how the ‘Gangsta’ came in on the ‘Blues’, cause we take things to a different level." The album finds Tanya in many different moods, her unique voice and lyrical wit shining through in all. The 2003 dancehall hit ‘It’s A Pity’ off the Germaica label’s Doctor’s Darling riddim (based on the Night Nurse riddim) is one of the many highlights of the album. Other outstanding tracks include ‘Way Back’ where Tanya journeys back to the time of artists like Marvin Gaye where ‘To be a singer you had to actually know key’. Also, ‘What’s Your Story’ - a prime example of what makes Tanya so unique in today’s dancehall. Her lyricism and delivery stand out as she takes us through a night gone wrong to the backdrop of a rootsy riddim. "I’m saying stuff that is not really typical dancehall topics… I think there are a lot more serious issues…"
Tanya Stephens’ ‘Gangsta Blues’ is truly a highlight and a breathe of fresh air in a time where badman lyrics and learning the latest dance step seem to be the priority in many of today’s dancehalls. This album is recommended for those looking to hear some good new music. Track Listing: [Windows Media Required to Listen]
Rocksteady
... rocksteady@atlantareggae.com
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Tanya
Stephens – Gangsta Blues
Other
outstanding tracks include ‘Little White Lie’, where Tanya discusses
the decision of a mother that has a baby by one man, but names
another man as the father. ‘Damn’, a spoken word interlude where
Tanya takes us on a perfect date that ends up having a much less
that perfect ending. Also the acoustic classic, ‘What A Day’ where
Tanya discusses the problem of crime, poverty, hunger, and other
social disparities found in today’s society.